Sustainable Development Studies

Adopting a sustainable lifestyle is crucial for the survival of humanity and the environment. Educating people about sustainability is important when we want to change people’s behaviour, where ever we live in the world. Would you like to learn how to make sustainable development studies more meaningful? In Oulu, the aim for sustainable development teaching in schools is to create eco-socially aware citizens, who understand what effects their actions have on other people, the environment and the society as a whole and who also act according to this knowledge. Schools in Oulu offer sustainable development themed studies every school year from early education all the way upto the university level. The teaching includes ready-made material packs, nature school programmes, activities with cooperation partners and online learning environments. Students in Oulu can participate in activities, for example, at the Oulu University or at the Nature School of Oulu City, in any season of the year. Furthermore, options for Oulu’s pupils range from bringing things from nature to the classroom, to going out to explore nature, or even participate in one-week long hiking trips in Lapland. Some Oulu-area schools and early education centres have eco-certifications, such as the Vihreä Lippu (”Green Flag”) which is a sustainable development programme for early education centres, schools, and youth organisations. Vihreä Lippu is part of the international Eco-Schools programme by FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education). Sustainable development education is one of the local curriculum paths in Oulu. The curriculum path ideology stresses the student’s own role in learning

and building his or her knowledge. Learning happens as a result of the student’s own actions, which take place in cooperation and interaction with other learners, teachers and other adults and learnings environments. The sustainable development path also teaches students to respect one’s own cultures and languages as well as those of other people, and to take responsibility of the wellbeing of others. Being part of the curriculum, the learning experiences, starting from early childhood, progress as a learning path towards a more sustainable lifestyle. There is an option to add specialist presentations from the University of Oulu, for instance, on industrial management and engineering, science, or economics. Sustainable development is in the focus of many fields of research and study. Programme length: 1/2–5 days Tour organisers can add additional outdoor activities or company visits to interesting local sustainable development oriented companies. The Sustainable Development Programme is jointly organised by the University of Oulu, Educational and Cultural Services of City of Oulu, and Educational Consortium OSAO (VET). Contact for more information: Ms. Eija Ruohomäki eija.ruohomaki@ouka.fi mob. +358 44 70 39189 Ms. Anne Viherkari global.education@oulu.fi mob. +358 40 674 4241